Nearly all of the WNBA’s 15 teams are three-quarters of the way through their regular-season schedule. Some teams are fighting for playoff positioning while others are battling for draft lottery positioning. Regardless, the players are deciding the outcomes with their level of production. Which ones are heating up? Which are cooling down?
Let’s get right into it.
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▶ HEATING UP 🔥
Jackie Young, G, Aces
Remember that stretch early in the season when Young put up back-to-back zero-point performances? Those struggles seem like YEARS ago, considering the incredibly high level she’s played at for most of the season — especially recently. The former three-time WNBA champion and former first-overall pick has tallied at least 20 points in eight of her last 10 appearances, including a current five-game streak, and dropped five or more dimes in seven of those same 10 games. As a result of her recent production, Young is now posting higher points, rebounds, and assists averages than at any other point in her career. As the Aces find themselves among a crowded group of playoff hopefuls battling for positioning, they’ll likely continue to ask Young to carry a large load.
Napheesa Collier, F, Lynx
Not enough good things can be said about Collier, who’s worked her way back from offseason ankle surgery to join the team midseason and play her part in keeping Minnesota atop the WNBA standings. She hasn’t quite hit her MVP-like level of 2025, which would’ve been unrealistic given how much time she missed before making her season debut. However, she’s logged at least 15 points in each of the eight games she’s played in this season, and has made her usual impact defensively. As Collier’s minutes and workload increase, she’ll only make this Lynx team a tougher one to deal with than it already is. She’s averaging 19.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Bridget Carleton, F, Fire
Carleton’s relocation to the Pacific Northwest continues to be a game-changing one for her career. She’s averaging well into double figures as a scorer for the first time in her eight-year career while logging over 30.0 minutes per game. The averages could keep increasing if the veteran continues to perform at the level she’s shown post-All-Star break. Carleton’s totaled at least 20 points and four three-pointers in three of the last five games, including back-to-back games with seven triples. She’s earned a pair of double-doubles over that same period, adding to her career-best season. Expect Carleton to remain one of Portland’s primary offensive weapons throughout the rest of the season.
▶ COOLING DOWN ❄️
Natisha Hiedeman, G, Storm
The rollercoaster of a season continues for Hiedeman, who’s in her first year with Seattle. The highs have been high — see the 33-point and 23-point outings in consecutive games following the All-Star break. However, back-to-back two-point showings almost immediately followed, helping validate that aforementioned rollercoaster. Hiedeman has shot 5-of-21 from the field and failed to make a three-pointer over the Storm’s last three games, with a highly productive 12-of-12 free-throw shooting game helping her counting stats in her most recent appearance. Based on how the season has gone for her, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her get back on track in the near future with some big scoring numbers.
Azura Stevens, F, Sky
Not much has gone right for the Sky this season — certainly not recently. The same is true for Stevens, who went into the All-Star break with an eight-point performance on 2-of-5 shooting, came out of it with an injury, and has totaled 20 points on 9-of-26 shooting in her three games since returning. The veteran forward had actually put together a five-game streak in which she averaged 16 points and 8.8 rebounds just before the previously mentioned struggles. A return to form as a scorer will start with the three-point shooting; she’s 1-of-11 from deep over the last three games.
Kahleah Copper, G, Mercury
The jolt of energy that the Mercury received in the immediate aftermath of their acquisition of Kelsey Plum ahead of the trade deadline seems to have worn off. Plum is hurt, Phoenix has lost three of its last four games, and the offense has really struggled. Part of the reason for the struggles has been Copper’s less productive play, relative to what it was previously. She’s 5-of-21 from the three-point line over her past four games — returning to form, even as an average three-point shooter, would do wonders for her scoring production and overall shooting efficiency. Copper also had eight turnovers against the Sparks on Tuesday. But the good news is that the Mercury don’t have many other reliable options they can turn to for offense. She’ll more than likely continue to soak up the usage, which should allow more than enough opportunities to heat back up.
